Indigenous Women Human Rights Defenders Work

Before and during the pandemic, there was a significant number of indigenous women that identified themselves as indigenous women human rights defenders (IWHRD). A significant number of them point out gender-based violence as the primary issue within their communities. Land conflict and harassment comes second. Issues of harassment and red-tagging that are related to on-going land conflict and protection of ancestral domains were particularly high before the pandemic. However, it relatively decreased during the pandemic. This can be attributed to the mobility restrictions that came with lockdowns. Many of the respondents claim that their focus shifted to economic survival and health during the time of lockdown.

Majority of the respondents put high regard to their role as indigenous women human rights defenders in forwarding their agenda and cause. Indigenous women take pride in the leadership positions they occupy in their community. This however is not always explicitly articulated. Rather, it is often expressed through actions. Hence, the common perception is that an IWHRD is respected and admired in their communities. Meanwhile, confronted with threats and harassment, it is their tribal leaders and non-government organizations that they depend on to support and help them.

'Indigenous Women Human Rights Defenders Work3' is part of the Sectoral Monitoring on the Situation of Indigenous Women and Girls during the COVID-19 Pandemic by LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights) and the Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Rights Center, published on April 20, 2022.